Happy stories/After treatment stories

maitcarrie

Hi, I have my second round of AC chemo coming up on Friday. Next is the Taxol chemo, lumpectomy then radiation. After round 1, no horrible side effects but I know that’s each round gets worse and worse.

Obviously breast cancer is a gloomy cloud always around now. I just want to know that after this is over, things will get better. Or a little back to normal. How do you feel now that your treatment is over

Ingerp

maitcarrie it certainly does start to leave your brain space but that takes a while. I finished active treatment (Herceptin) in May, and am now waiting for my hair to grow some more and for it to return to something closer to what I had pre-BC. I understand that around two years PFC your hair starts to calm down. I'm less than a year into an AI, and the thought that I have at least four years left on that pisses me off. A lot of women focus on the active treatment part, but this is part of your life for longer than that. On the other hand, I definitely see baby steps toward normalcy. About a month ago I had to start wearing a headband to the gym because my hair was finally long enough to bug me on my forehead. You might have heard your eyelashes will probably go through several rounds of thinning out after they come back (around 4 and 8 months PFC), but I feel like they're finally here to stay. I've had a fun year with lots of trips with and without my family, and several more coming up this year.

You'll get through this. You'll get your life back. The whole thing will fade in your mind, with occasional reminders like the follow-up appts with your medical team and your regular mammos. But life does go on. . .

SummerAngel

I was lucky enough to not need radiation or chemo, so I was able to get back to regular life quickly. My life is pretty much exactly as it was before my diagnosis except that I have fake breasts and can add my thoughts to discussions about breast cancer as a person who has experienced it. I'm really not bothered by it except when I'm in a medical setting and have to do some things differently because of my treatment (risk of lymphedema in both arms). It gets better, and if you're not a person who tends to worry or dwell it will get better even faster.

ctmbsikia

There are many days now that I feel good and don't think about. There are still days I can't stop thinking about it too. Especially around appt. and imaging times. I am only on a 9 week break between MO appts. I have to go back in December. Maybe starting Prolia. I don't have the energy I used to so have to set smaller goals with projects, housework, even getting to the food store. Slowly getting over a little bitterness, but by reading and participating with this great bunch, they have helped me tremendously. Best of luck to you going through next rounds of chemo. I was so grateful to not have to do it.